Whether it’s food or art, Oakland
is a feast for all the senses. Take
a crash course in the city’s food
and art scenes at Friday Nights
@ OMCA, where you can enjoy
Off the Grid food trucks, art
and live music, or branch out
and sample some of Oakland’s
many fantastic art galleries and
restaurants. So come hungry,
because you’ll definitely want
to make room for seconds.

6

#o a k l a n d l o v e i t

0

What Food trucks
are here This Week?
offthegrid.com

Visitoakland.org

7

Parks and Rec

Rain or shine, there’s always plenty
to see and do when it comes to
Oakland’s outdoor spaces. Show
off on Lake Merritt’s slack line, or
find the perfect spot for a picnic
or a morning workout. Once you’re
out here, you’ll never want to go
back inside.

When the sun goes down, the
locals let loose. Unique and
vibrant bars and venues like
the New Parish (pictured), live
music, and plenty of new friends
to makeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Oaklandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got all you
need to make your night one to
remember.

10

#o a k l a n d l o v e i t

j
Check the concert
calendar at
thenewparish.com

Visitoakland.org

11

Hella

Oakland

Jack London

12

Drew Bird

Steeped in history and filled with a
modern energy, Jack London Square
reflects the vital spirit of Oakland.
Join a dance party on the old
stomping grounds of Jack London
himself, and discover the many spots
to eat, drink and play along the
dynamic waterfront.

#o a k l a n d l o v e i t

See upcoming events,
including free
Dance lessons, at
jacklondonsquare.com

Visitoakland.org

13

where
hospitality
meets the
square
Located in downtown Oakland’s historic Jack London
Square, and not far from the San Francisco bay, this
intimate boutique hotel offers 100 contemporary
rooms with privacy in a tranquil setting surrounding
a beautifully landscaped courtyard.

233 Broadway, Oakland
innatthesquare.com • 510.452.4565

grandonephotog
Oakland Zoo

eddie_def
Oakland, California

xaniras
Homeroom

HOW WILL

airicka
Temescal Brewing

YOU

ghettohouseradio
O. Co Coliseum. Oakland A’s Baseball

E X P L O R E

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14

#oaklandloveit

The Vibe
word on the street

Reflections on Oakland, from the people
who know it best

Glynn Washington

“Oakland gets everything first. It’s
on the cutting edge of every societal
trend—sexuality, class, labor,
gender. It’s a peek into the future. You
can have 130 languages within four
blocks. Mixed together, you will get
clashes, amazing communities, great
food. And lots and lots of stories.
“Kids who come up in Oakland’s
school system can talk to anybody.
They can flip between all kinds of
groups in a way I never could. They
are able to talk to straight, gay,
black, Chinese, throw some Spanish
in there, Punjabi. It’s not ‘I tolerate
this’; it’s more of an embrace.”

Libby Schaaf

Robert Ogilvie

Mayor of Oakland
@LibbySchaaf

Director of SPUR Oakland, an urbanplanning research organization
@SPUR_Urbanist

“It’s easy to fall in love with Oakland.
From the redwoods to the shores of
Lake Merritt, Oakland’s beauty makes
it a playground for nature lovers
and urbanites alike. Our diversity,
creative energy and down-to-earth
authenticity add to Oakland’s ‘secret
sauce,’ which includes world-class
artists, entrepreneurs and activists of
every stripe. It’s part of how we make
everyone feel at home.”

Visitoakland.org

“There are so many different types
of people in Oakland, and they
have an open attitude toward
each other. It’s stimulating and
refreshing; you learn something
new all the time. The city is trying
to grapple with change in a way
that will keep its soul.
“I love downtown. You turn
a corner, and there is a new
building, an old building that’s been
rehabbed, a new business that’s
popped up.”

Behind
Washington is a
mural planned
by Attitudinal
Healing
Connection

Justin Metoyer
Mullon
Muralist and educator with
Attitudinal Healing Connection
@AHC_oakland
“We have a strong arts community
that gets a lot of support—a lot of
energy and appreciation go into art
and artists here. We love doing
what we’re meant to do. There
are a lot of art galleries, art events
and artists; in my neighborhood in
West Oakland, there are at least five
artists living within a few blocks.
All cultures come together to make
Oakland what it is.”

15

Located in the hear t of
Jack London Square,
the Waterfront Hotel
celebrates the adventurous
spirit of the San Francisco Bay,
with all of our guestrooms,
public spaces, and meetings
rooms embodying the
maritime atmosphere and
soul of the waterfront
through our nautical inspired
dĂŠcor and breathtaking

rom its beginning in 2009, Ale
Industries brewery in Fruitvale
has been working to shake up the
beer industry in the East Bay and
beyond. And that’s exactly what
owners Morgan Cox and Steve
Lopas have done. Among the first local brewers to experiment with barrel-aging beer,
Cox and Lopas are also pioneers in another
way—almost everything at the brewery is
powered by fuel converted from vegetable
oil. What’s more, you won’t find traditional
labels for beers here, like “pilsner.” Instead,
the brewery favors straightforward language
about flavor (its Golden State of Mind is

What’s Brewing

Morgan Cox and
Steve Lopas,
co-owners of
Ale Industries

described as “earthy, citrus, herbal”).
The brewery’s Jingletown Jazz taproom,
next to the Fruitvale BART station, also
defies traditional classification. “We’re just
as likely to have a grandma come in as we
are to have her grandson on leave from the
Marines,” Cox says.
The brewers agree that there are few
better places to push boundaries than
Oakland. “I’ve lived here for about a decade,” Cox says. “As the Bay Area progresses
with craft beer, I see Oakland as one of the
gathering points.” 3096 E. 10th St.,
(510) 479-3185, aleindustries.com

Mad Oak

The
Perfect
Beer
Crawl

Steve Babuljak

Beer Revolution

The revolution is alive
and well at this bar near
Jack London Square.
With 50 taps, a back wall
of hundreds of chilled
bottles and all the punk
rock music you could
want, this is the spot to
find new and rare beers.

In addition to 30 taps
pouring primarily
American craft beer, this
Uptown beer bar helps
you unleash your inner
beer geek with meetthe-brewer nights and
tap takeovers, as well as
beer-making classes with
top brewers from around
the U.S. 1802 Telegraph
Ave., (510) 306-1914,
divingdogbrew.com

Drake’s Dealership

Housed in a former car
dealership in Uptown’s
buzzing new Hive
complex, this outpost of
a brewery in nearby San
Leandro invites you to
chill out. The beer selection is impressive, with
32 taps offering a mix of
Drake’s beers and specialty brews. Grab a pint
to pair with a wood-fired
pizza or poutine.
2325 Broadway,
(510) 833-6649,
drinkdrakes.com/visit/
dealership

One of the few places in
the East Bay where you
can lounge on a rooftop
while throwing back
pints, this multilevel beer
bar near Lake Merritt
draws in the crowds with
its multiple TVs and projector for sports events.
But the fun doesn’t stop
at Mad Oak when the
game’s over. With a
patio, game room and
two bars downstairs; 40
taps highlighting local
brews; and a cocktail
program big on fresh
produce and ingredients,
there’s plenty to keep
you coming back for
more. 135 12th St., (510)
924-2047,madoakbar.com

The Trappist

Go exploring at this
mecca for Belgian-style
beer, where bartenders
pour from a selection of
hard-to-find taps from
around the world. The
Old World ambience—
taxidermy looming over
the tables, shelves of
European knickknacks—
is transporting, but the
outdoor patio can’t be
beat on a warm day. 460
Eighth St., (510) 238-8900,
thetrappist.com
41

DON ’T BE A T OU RIST.

E AT A ND D R INK LIK E A LO C AL .

S I GN U P TODAY!
Join a local foodie on a walking tour and eat and drink Oakland’s finest, while
hearing from the makers themselves what inspired their creations. Drink matéinfused beers with a Brewmaster, eat New American
Seafood with Asian- Dominican twists with the Chef de
Cuisine and savor melt-in-your-mouth donuts with a DonutMaking Genius. Just a few of the many delights you’ll
s eeea t l o v e . c o m
get to experience. Now offering tours in four distinct
Oakland neighborhoods.
5 1 0 .9 8 5 .4 92 3

Spend a day with the emus and the
elephants, and enjoy a few rides while
you’re at it. Float above bison and
giraffes on a gondola, take a spin on the
carousel, and ride the mini train. Let the
little ones gawk at the playful otters and
turn into frogs by hopping across the
Lily Pad Pond at the Children’s Zoo, then
head to the African Savannah, where the
lions roam. 9777 Golf Links Road,
(510) 632-9525, oaklandzoo.org

@hedda_b

#FamilyTime

Fentons Creamery
and Restaurant

Plank

What do you get when you
combine a bowling alley; a
video game arcade; a bocce
ball court; and a menu of
well-made burgers, pizza and
tacos? An adrenalized, fistpumping destination in Jack
London Square for all ages—
at least until 9 p.m., when
you must be over 21.
98 Broadway, (510) 8170980, plankoakland.com
@symlink

A leafy storybook-themed park for the smaller
set, Fairyland—a Lake Merritt attraction since
1950—exhibits a sweet, old-fashioned charm.
Young visitors explore an Alice in Wonderland
rabbit-hole tunnel; ride a multicolored train
that looks like it has chugged right out of a
Little Golden Book; and wander past Little
Miss Muffet’s garden, inhabited by real
bunnies and goats. 699 Bellevue Ave.,
(510) 452-2259, fairyland.org

@feedthefishco

Plunder the pirate’s-treasure
cache of beads and string your
own adornments. The shop also
teaches jewelry-making techniques
(crafters 13 and under must be
accompanied by an adult). 4167
Piedmont Ave., (510) 652-2583,
bluedoorbeads.com

The ice cream parlor/restaurant is
a local institution; it even made a
cameo in the Pixar movie Up. The
Fenton family started a horse-drawn
dairy business here in 1894 and, with
a few changes (like cookies ‘n’ cream),
the restaurant has been scooping
out rich deliciousness since 1922.
4226 Piedmont Ave., (510) 658-7000,
fentonscreamery.com

@jillkarjian

The Museum of
Art and Digital
Entertainment
@charlesnaut

@mei_jenks

At this complex in the Oakland Hills, kids
can construct Lego cars, touch a model
of the sun and sit at the controls of a
replica 1961 Mercury space capsule. On
clear weekend nights, the observatory
domes roll open for visitors to view the
skies through high-powered telescopes.
Wed.–Sun., 10000 Skyline Blvd.,
(510) 336-7300, chabotspace.org

Homeroom

Get schooled in variations of mac and
cheese that will satisfy appetites of all
ages. Compare and contrast the Classic
with the Gilroy Garlic or the Mexican Mac
(chorizo and chipotle sauce). 400 40th St.,
(510) 597-0400, homeroom510.com; $$

Get your groove on, with instructors
who teach different styles, from salsa
to swing, every summer Friday in Jack
London Square. June–August,
8:30 p.m., Broadway at Embarcadero
West, jacklondonsquare.com

Videos, photos and archival items tell
the story of black Oakland—from the
turn-of-the-century community settled
by the Pullman porters, to the jazz and
blues clubs of the ’20s through ’50s, the
1966 founding of the Black Panthers,
and beyond. Tues.–Sun., 659 14th St.,
(510) 637-0200, oaklandlibrary.org

52

@um_spec_coll

Art Murmur

Oakland’s red-hot art scene is on
view during Art Murmur’s Saturday
Stroll, a self-guided walk through
galleries that’s a less-crowded
version of First Fridays. Artists and
gallery owners talk to viewers on
themed guided tours that take
place on the third Saturday of each
month. oaklandartmurmur.org

For pre-show dining with a cinematic
flair, try Flora. Located in the heart of
Uptown, the art deco–style restaurant
looks like the kind of establishment
where Sam Spade might arrange to meet
a mysterious dame. He’d order a juicy
T-bone, the most traditional item on a
varied menu. 1900 Telegraph Ave.,
(510) 286-0100, floraoakland.com; $$$

#o a k l a n d l o v e i t

The Flight Deck: special thanks to Poetry Slam Inc. and the National Poetry Slam

If you want to talk to locals, this
is the place. The dark, cavernous
Uptown venue has a friendly vibe,
not to mention tasty bar food
(habanero popcorn is popular)
and two indoor bocce ball courts,
which promote plenty of mingling.
1741 Telegraph Ave.,
(510) 251-1400, makewesting.com

A mostly LGBT crowd
turns out for the hiphop, house, R&B and
old-school funk played
on several dance floors
in this large venue. 2120
Broadway, (510) 4442266, club-bnb.com

@paultlayland

@deathvalleygirls

With a look that borrows from
a bordello, Night Light keeps its
atmosphere going with blood-red
leather couches and paintings of
naked ladies. Choose between the
DJ-powered bar downstairs and the
larger live-music scene upstairs.
311 Broadway, (510) 433-0340,
thenightlightoakland.com

#dontstop
ptheparty
@sergexx

@julietstarrett

New Karibbean
City Nightclub and
Restaurant

Starline
Social
Club

Jerk chicken, goat stew and Red
Stripe represent the islands at
this dance hall. A spirited clientele
comes for the DJs and live reggae,
hip-hop, R&B, salsa and soca.
1408 Webster St., nkcoakland.com

Looking for breakfast at almost any
hour? Rudy’s—which takes its name
from a Clash song—produces eggs and
pancakes from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. The
buoyant decor includes a long shelf of
dolls sporting badges that read “I am
Rudy.” 1805 Telegraph Ave.,
(510) 251-9400, iamrudy.com

One side of this welcoming spot offers
burgers, spicy shrimp with grits and other
unpretentious fare, while the adjacent room
features DJs and dancing on Thursdays
through Saturdays. 2221 Broadway,
(510) 451-4677, lukasoakland.com
@amyruthmarsh

Oakland welcomes meeting planners to discover why Oakland was named one
of the top destinations in the country to visit in 2015 by Lonely Planet. Book your
meeting now to take advantage of a number of unique incentives available for a
limited time to meeting planners.*
Contact sales@visitoakland.org or learn more at visitoakland.org.
â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Visit www.visitoakland.org/meet/meetings-incentive/ for latest offers. Contact sales@visitoakland.org for details.

#oaklandloveit

The Town

Business

Shipping Out

Mitch Kapor thinks big
picture. He co-founded Lotus
Development Corporation
in 1982 and helped start
the Electronic Frontier
Foundation, protector of
digital civil liberties, in 1990.
He’s now based in Oakland,
where he runs Kapor Capital
and invests in companies
pursuing social good. He and
his wife, Freada Kapor Klein,
opened the Kapor Center
for Social Impact in 2016
to increase the presence of
underrepresented people in
tech startups.
Why Oakland? We foresaw
Oakland becoming a new
tech hub for the Bay Area,
one that could reflect the
diversity of its community.
How is it different from other
Bay Area cities?
I think Oakland can do a
much better job than what
we’ve seen elsewhere in
fostering an innovation
economy that values diversity
and creates companies whose
impact benefits the local
community. Oakland’s history
has placed it on the cutting
edge of social movements.
Today there’s an opportunity
to set an example for
economic growth that doesn’t
make us more unequal, but
brings us together.
How would you describe
Oaklanders? “Resilience” is
the word that comes to mind.
Oakland’s working-class roots
and progressive traditions run
deep, yet there’s an appetite
to embrace change.
kaporcapital.com,
kaporcenter.org

58

The GoldieBlox
Standard

Engineer Debbie Sterling looked at
the girls’ toys aisle—filled with pink
princess dolls—and thought, Why can’t
we encourage girls to build, the way
we do boys? So a few years ago, she
introduced GoldieBlox, construction
toys aimed at girls, and set up her firm
in Oakland. “GoldieBlox’s inventor
culture fits well in Oakland,” Sterling
says. “There are artists and engineers,
all here working to create wonderful
things.” Another important factor in the
mix: “We’ve connected with a great set
of kids. We learn a lot from the community.” goldieblox.com

#o a k l a n d l o v e i t

Clockwise from top left: Courtesy of Kapor Center for Social Impact; Courtesy of the Port of oakland; courtesy of goldieBlox

a progressive
force

The sculptural cranes poised over the Port of
Oakland are the city’s biggest landmarks, symbols
of its roots and hardworking pride. The port got
its modest but ambitious start in 1852, with three
wooden wharves. In early 2016, the largest ship
ever to dock at a U.S. port arrived, the first of
six megaships that now rotate in and out of
Oakland—one of only a few American ports that
can receive vessels as massive as these. (For port
tour info, see page 47.)

The Town

Lodging

Comfort Zone

Need a place to stay? Find the perfect
spot to recharge at the end of the day.

Courtyard oakland
Downtown
Set between Old Oakland and
Chinatown, this hotel is, like Marriott
City Center, a great choice for upperend lodging downtown. The Bistro
cafe menu features fresh fare, from
scrambled eggs in the morning to
burgers at night. Perks: outdoor pool,
fitness center. 988 Broadway,
(510) 625-8282, marriott.com

Oakland Marriott
City Center
You get a view of the Tribune Tower
or San Francisco from many of
the rooms in this 21-story hotel.
Bright pops of color accent the
contemporary guest rooms. Level
Two restaurant serves a breakfast
buffet and, at lunch and dinner, steak
and other classics, while Twelve Bar
Lounge supplies bar bites. Perks:
outdoor pool, fitness center.
1001 Broadway, (510) 451-4000,
marriott.com

The Washington Inn
Situated across from the convention
center on one side and the food
hall Swan’s Market (see page 36)
on the other, the Washington Inn
is in a renovated 1913 building in
Old Oakland. Rooms, in golds and
reds, have a traditional flavor. The
attached Seison restaurant serves
a solid menu of standards with a
Left Coast spin. Perk: free breakfast.
495 10th St., (510) 452-1776,
thewashingtoninn.com

Jack London Square
Discover the invigorating waterfront
Best Western Plus
Bayside Hotel

Airbnb
Sleep aboard the sailing ketch
owned by Airbnb host Shaun—all
brass fittings and teak woodwork—
for an exhilarating stay among the
boats at Embarcadero Cove. Shaun
takes guests for a spin on the bay if
they wish, or they can paddle out in
the kayaks he provides. Perk: marine
breeze. airbnb.com

Days Hotel Oakland
Airport
The newly renovated Days is the
closest of the hotels within walking
distance of the Arena and Coliseum,
and on game nights, enthusiastic
fans journey there and back together.
Perks: free breakfast, outdoor pool,
fitness center. 8350 Edes Ave., (510)
568-1880, dayshoteloakland.com

The inn’s been given an appealing, lighthearted update that suits the
neighborhood. Each room features a floor-to-ceiling photo of an Oakland
landmark. Perk: free loaner bikes. 3720 Telegraph Ave., (510) 652-9800,
innattemescal.com

Spread out in one of the good-sized rooms at Extended Stay—each
includes a kitchenette, a little desk/table and a comfy armchair. Perks:
free breakfast, laundry facilities. 3650 Mandela Parkway.,
(510) 923-1481, extendedstayamerica.com (search “Emeryville”)

Find yourself in the parklike Oakland Hills
Claremont Club & Spa, a Fairmont Hotel
A grand, rambling complex that first opened in 1915, the Claremont
offers classic resort pastimes (tennis, spa, three swimming pools,
kids’ activities) with modern polish. Tea in the lobby is a local tradition,
and from either of the two restaurants, you’ll catch sunset views
over the bay. Perks: pool, fitness room, the spa’s soaking tub,
massages and more. 41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley; (510) 843-3000,
fairmont.com/claremont-berkeley

January
Lunar New Year Bazaar
Ring in 2017, the Year of the
Rooster, with music and dance;
booths sell good-luck plants
and other traditional gifts.
oaklandchinatownchamber.org
Oakland Restaurant Week
Explore the culinary scene
everyone’s talking about,
during a week when great local
restaurants offer special deals.
oaklandrestaurantweek.org

February
Black History Month
Discover African-American history
through film, music, talks and more.
visitoakland.org/black-history-month
Lunar New Year Celebration
and Other Asian Traditions
at Oakland Museum of
California
OMCA celebrates with dragon
dancers, martial arts, crafts projects,
Asian food trucks and more.
museumca.org

September
Eat Real Festival
Three days of cooking demos,
fantastic food trucks, and local beer
and wine. eatrealfest.com

Painting by

Oakland artist
Aeolian Day
Rtystk
Handmade wind-powered
instruments to delight you and
the kids. thingamajigs.org/
programs#Aeolian

Eastlake Music Festival
Catch local stars and up-andcomers performing in all genres.
eastlakemusicfestival.org
Oakland Book Festival
Lively discussions, readings,
music and children’s projects.
oaklandbookfestival.org

Oakland Black Cowboy
Parade & Festival
Stetson-sporting riders bring the
Old West to town in this tribute
to African-American cowboys.
blackcowboyassociation.org
Oaktoberfest
Festival of craft beer, with live
music and German-inspired food.
oaktoberfest.org
Rockridge Out & About
Live music, street entertainment and
good eats. rockridgeoutandabout.com

Walking Tours

Dive deep into Oakland’s neighborhoods,
architecture and history. City-sponsored tours
are twice weekly from May through October.
Oakland Urban Paths heads out the second
Saturday of every month. oaklandnet.com/
walkingtours; oaklandurbanpaths.org

Clockwise from left:
Historic buildings in Old
Oakland (left and above),
the streets of Chinatown,
the Fox Theater on
Telegraph Avenue

Temescal is a vibrant neighborhood leading the Oakland renaissance, full of innovative
and diverse people creating small independent thoughtfully-curated shops, restaurants
and services, celebrating emerging arts and culture in our community.